Southwest Airlines To End Open Seating, Introducing Redeye Flight Options

Source: SOPA Images / Getty

Major changes are coming to Southwest Airlines.

The Dallas-based airline announced Thursday it will be ending its open seating policy, will begin offering premium seating, and will be introducing redeye flight options.

The airline said the changes are the next step in a “continuing strategic transformation” and are designed to “elevate the customer experience.”

According to research conducted by the airlines, 80% of customers and 86% of potential customers said they prefer an assigned seat.

In addition to assigning seats, Southwest will now offer premium, extended legroom portions of plane cabins. One-third of seats will offer the extended option.

Southwest will sell tickets for redeye flights starting Thursday. The first overnight flights will land on Valentine’s Day next year in five initial nonstop markets: Las Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando; Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville; and Phoenix to Baltimore. Southwest said it plans to phase in additional redeye flying.

The announcement came as Southwest reported that its second-quarter profit dropped to $367 million — down 46% from a year earlier.

President and CEO of Southwest, Bob Jordan, said the changes are part of “a comprehensive upgrade to the Southwest experience.”

“Moving to assigned seating and offering premium legroom options will be a transformational change that cuts across almost all aspects of the company,” Jordan said in a news release about the changes. “Although our unique open seating model has been a part of Southwest Airlines since our inception, our thoughtful and extensive research makes it clear this is the right choice— at the right time—for our customers, our people, and our shareholders. We are excited to incorporate customer and employee feedback to design a unique experience that only Southwest can deliver.”

This past May, the airline began listing airfares on Google Flights, making it easier for travelers to compare their options on a single dashboard.

Get Breaking News & Exclusive Content in Your Inbox :

Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email